Top race walker, who goes for gold in the 20km walk on Sunday, insists his form improved after he announced he is gay and believes many footballers would do likewise but for the fear of abuse

As Tom Bosworth prepares to hunt for gold on the streets of London on Sunday Britain’s most prominent gay athlete says he doubts that a top-flight English footballer will ever come out because “nothing is changing” in the game.

Bosworth, who has high hopes of a world championship medal in the men’s 20km race walk having led the Rio Olympics before finishing sixth, has been an impressive advocate for LGTB rights since coming out in 2015. However he admits that he is frustrated that some fans still create an atmosphere where footballers daren’t come out.